This is the current conditions weather report for Boise. The report was made 74 minutes ago, at 07:53 UTC. The temperature was 84°F / 29°C, with a dew-point at 84°F / 29°C. The atmospheric pressure was 29.94 inHg / 1015 hPa. The relative humidity was 25%. The skies were clear.
Boise is the capital and the most populous city of the State of Idaho. Boise was given its name after French-Canadian trappers first explored the area after crossing the arid desert plains. Finding green trees at the site, primarily cottonwoods along the river, they named it boisé (meaning "wooded"). Boise has consequently been given the nickname City of Trees.
Boise is the headquarters for several major companies, such as Washington Group International (successor to Morrison Knudsen), Micron Technology, Albertsons (a major supermarket chain now owned by SuperValu), the J.R. Simplot Company and Hewlett Packard's printer division. Other major industries are headquartered in Boise or have large manufacturing facilities there. High Tech industries are becoming increasingly vital to Boise's economy. State government is one of the city's main employers, as it is the capital city for Idaho and home of Boise State University.
Post-secondary educational options in Boise include Boise State University, University of Phoenix as well as a wide range of technical schools. Boise is home to Boise Bible College, an undergraduate degree-granting college that exists to train leaders for churches as well as missionaries for the world.
Boise is the county seat of Ada County and the principal city of the Boise metropolitan area, the Treasure Valley.
Boise has grown considerably in recent years and is now comparable in size to other midsize cities at the center of their own metropolitan areas in the United States such as Grand Rapids, Des Moines, Tulsa, and Providence.
A number of recreational opportunities are available in Boise, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills to the immediate north of downtown and an extensive urban trail system called the Boise River Greenbelt that runs along the river. The Boise River itself is a common destination for fishing, swimming and rafting.
Bogus Basin Mountain Resort hosts several winter activities, including cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. “Bogus” is just 16 miles outside city limits (less than an hour drive from downtown).
Bogus is operated by the Bogus Basin Recreation Association, a non-profit organization, on leased land in the Boise National Forest. Ski and snowboard season generally runs from Thanksgiving weekend until the weekend immediately preceding April 15, depending on snow conditions. There is also cross-country skiing on 23 miles (37 km) of Nordic trails.
The World Center for Birds of Prey is located just outside city limits, and is a key part of the re-establishment of the Peregrine falcon and the subsequent removal from the Endangered Species list. The center is currently breeding the very rare California condor, among many other rare and endangered species.
The mall in Boise, Boise Towne Square Mall, is also a major shopping attraction for Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, and surrounding areas.